One sad fact about creationism is that the materials
printed have generally been very poorly done. They not only contain
scientific error and a lack of understanding of the issues, but they
have been poorly documented, they have used creationist sources that do
not have training in the fields they are writing about, and they have
used misleading and poorly done illustrations. There are exceptions of
course, and our book of the month is one of those exceptions. This
262-page book is a quality production, with coated paper, massive
photographs from museums all over the world, and interviews with
experts in their own field. It is pricey because of the quality
($29.99), and also has a Teacher's Manual that would make it extremely
useful for homeschoolers. (The manual is $16.99 and its ISBN-13:
978-0892216840.)

The back cover of this book has a statement that reads "A Book that
Challenges Your Views and Demands a Verdict." In the front the
dedication says, "Dedicated to those who have the courage to question."
The book has 22 chapters, three appendices, a glossary, and a
bibliography. It starts with "The Origin of Life: Two Opposing Views."
The next five chapters deal with the mechanisms of
evolution--spontaneous generation, acquired characteristics, natural
selection and mutations, similarities as a proof of evolution and
Darwin's predictions, and the fossil record. The next ten chapters deal
with the fossil record of invertebrates, fish, bats, pinnipeds, flying
reptiles, dinosaurs, whales, birds, feathered dinosaurs, and flowering
plants. The next three chapters deal with the molecular basis of
evolution--DNA, proteins, and amino acids. Chapter 20 and the
appendices compare the two views of evolution and creation, discuss the
number of fossils, and present a dinosaur and fish evolution chart.

This book must have around 1,000 four-color pictures in it. The
pictures are wonderful and the organization is clear. Points are made
by quoting experts in the field--not creationists who are out of their
field. Duane Gish is about the only American creationist quoted
extensively, and most of the other quotes are from evolutionists. The
quotes are designed to show the lack of evidence. Skeptics will be
quick to claim the statements are taken out of context and do not show
the views of those quoted, but in most cases the researchers quoted
state their belief that the gaps in evidence will be filled. The fact
is that the gaps in evidence are clearly shown and well documented.

The teacher's manual has tests, class discussion questions, and
objectives. There is a DVD series that goes with the material. It is
this reviewer's view that this material could be used for eighth grade
through college age very effectively. It is the best teaching material
on creationism we have seen. It is based on evidence, it challenges the
student to think, and the quality of the material is superb. While
atheistic evolutionary arguments are not presented in detail, the faith
aspects of evolutionary theory are clearly shown. We recommend this
material highly. It is well worth its high cost.